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Elbit has developed the Skylark miniature UAVs, a manpacked system
designed for tactical close-range surveillance and reconnaissance
missions, artillery fire adjustments as well as force protection
and perimeter security.
The mini UAV is
quickly assembled before the mission and is launched by hand. Recovery is
performed by a deep stall maneuver, which lands the vehicle safely
on a small inflatable cushion, at a pre-designated point. the
cushion is designed to protect the payload on landing. The entire mission is flown
autonomously, feeding real-time continuous video and telemetry
data to the portable ruggedized ground station. Its wings and tail
surfaces are constructed of a lightweight composites, the fuselage
tubular boom is also made of composites. The avionics and payload
systems are contained in a pod carried below the boom. The
gimbaled payload utilizes a daylight CCD or an optional FLIR for night
operation, which can be rotated by four gimbals. In February 2004 Elbit won an IDF Ground Forces Command
contract to supply the Skylark for evaluation and testing as an
organic UAV system, to be operated by infantry units.
Skylark has since entered operational service with selected IDF
units, used for operational testing and doctrine development and
evaluation.
During the Second Lebanon war in July-August 2006, Skylark
mini-UAVs were operated by IDF units performing close-in
reconnaissance missions in support of the ground forces, providing
valuable real-time intelligence, due to their low acoustic and
visual signatures, Skylarks were able to operate at very low
altitude practically undetectable.
 In
2005 the Australian MOD selected the Skylark to support the
deployment of Australian forces in Iraq. Six systems were procured
and deployed to Southern Iraq. In September, 2006 Thales Canada
announced it has been selected by the Department of National
Defence Land Forces to deliver a mini-UAV system based on Elbit’s
Skylark technology.
Skylark IV uses a miniature gyro stabilized payload weighing
only 500gr. The payload was developed by Elbit Systems
specifically for MAV applications. It consists of a daylight color
CCD. When fitted with night-camera, the payload's weight doubles
to one kilogram. Payload-vehicle integration enables simple and
intuitive operation in holding position, as the payload "looks" at
a designated point while the UAV circles above to maintain a
continuous cover, and camera guide, where the user designates a
target or rout to be followed by the payload and aircraft. Image
obtained by the camera are overlaid on the integrated map
situational display.
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